Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Road, Mae Rim, Thailand; 011-66-53-298-181, www.fourseasons.com . A showcase for updated Lanna architecture, designed to suggest a village in the northern Thai foothills. It's set on 20 landscaped acres about 20 minutes north of Chiang Mai and has swimming pools, tennis courts, two restaurants, an award-winning spa and a Thai cooking school. Pavilion doubles start at $450.

Rachamankha, 6 Rachamankha 9; Chiang Mai, Thailand; 011-66-53-904-111, www.rachamankha.com. A small, stunningly designed hotel on the quiet, west side of old Chiang Mai. Its courtyard layout was based on the chapel of a famous Thai temple in Lampang province and the décor is an Oriental minimalist blend, using Chinese porcelain, tasseled Lanna lanterns, bamboo mats and the owner's collection of Buddhist scripture chests. Pool, restaurant and gallery. Doubles from $171.

The Chedi Chiang Mai, 123 Charoen Prathet Road, T. Chang Klan, A. Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand; 011-66-53-253-333, www.ghmhotels.com. A striking new hotel on the Ping River near the Night Market. It's built around the landmark, old British Consulate. It has a pool, spa and terrace restaurant known for its Indian cuisine. Doubles from $295.

Regina Riverside Guesthouse, 69-73 Charoenrat Road, Wat Ket district, Chiang Mai, Thailand; 011-66-53-262-882. Six tiny rooms in a quirky, 100-year-old Chinese shop. It is on the river in the Wat Ket area. Doubles $11, with breakfast.

River Ping Palace, 385/2 Charoen Prathet Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand; 011-66-53-274-932, http://riverpingpalace.tripod.com. Nine guest rooms in a traditional northern Thai teak house. It is on a quiet stretch of the Ping River, a 15-minute walk south of the Night Market. Doubles $45, with breakfast.

River View Lodge, 25 Charoen Prathet Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand; 011-66-53-271-109, www.riverviewlodgch.com. An old favorite among Chiang Mai aficionados, modestly priced and well-maintained, with a garden and small pool overlooking the Ping River. Doubles $41 to $51, including breakfast.